England boss Steve Borthwick lays into his team despite win, demands better

Marcus Smith strengthened his case for keeping the number 10 jersey for the series against New Zealand with an impressive performance in England's convincing win over Japan.

The Harlequins fly-half contributed 13 points, including a well-crafted try from a set-play, as England kicked off their summer tour by defeating Eddie Jones' team in Tokyo.

However, the England coach remained unimpressed.

“The performance level will need to rise when we face New Zealand in two weeks’ time,” said Borthwick. “The discipline … you can’t give that number of penalties away, we know that.

“You also can’t give New Zealand the space we gave Japan but I expect our performance to go up a level. The team has had one session in England before we flew and, after getting over the jet lag, we’ve had one proper session in Japan since we arrived.

“To produce that [display] off a couple of sessions together has been very impressive from the players’ point of view but we will need to go up several levels – and I expect us to do so – when we face New Zealand.”

Borthwick denied to comment on whether he thought Ewels would be suspended for his reckless clear-out on Japan’s Michael Leitch.

England kicked off their summer tour with a confident display, outplaying Eddie Jones' side in the sweltering Tokyo heat. While Smith's performance was a clear highlight, the match wasn't without its disappointments.

Below, we spotlight five players who struggled to make an impact in the challenging conditions.

RUCK 5/10: "On at the 65 minute mark, yet was immediately under his own posts as Japan crossed for their first try. Solid work at the set-piece, as despite leaking a couple of tries England kept their strength in attack. Dangerous clear out on Michael Leitch at 72 minutes, as he dove at the captain’s legs. Shown a yellow card (and off-field review) as England finished the match with 14 men. The off-field review upgraded the offence to a red card for the Bath man, no mitigation and a high degree of danger."

Express 2/10: "The forward came off the bench for England in the 66th minute and was sent off just eight minutes later for dangerous play, taking out Michael Leitch."

Rugby Pass 0/10: " it was a nightmare for England’s fifth forward replacement as Ewels (0), a 66th-minute sub for Freeman, was yellow carded seven minutes later for a dangerous clear-out on Michael Leitch."

Replacement: Alex Coles

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Troubled start included penalty concessions at the scrum and in the tackle, but he became more precise with his involvements when England asserted control. Exited on 44 minutes feeling good that his tackle count was healthy, and he wasn’t shy of trying things as he was the player who tapped quickly in the play for the Feyi-Waboso try."

Planet Rugby 5/10: " Hugely unlucky to be pinged for the first scrum, Rodd offers so much around the pitch and was one of England’s key close-quarter operators in both carry and tackle. His set piece work isn’t his superpower but it’s improving and he held on well."

RUCK 6/10: "Back in the squad for his first start since the Rugby World Cup win against Chile. Looked up to scratch following his Six Nations injury layoff. Made some short, sharp carries to grind out the hard yards over the gain-line. Received some medical attention after a battering collision just before the half time break. Off for Joe Marler at 43rd minute."

Replacement: Joe Marler, with fin Baxter on the bench

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Never quite got the chance to get into the line as the extra man, although he might point out he had a run-in for a try when Marcus Smith opted for Feyi-Waboso instead. Was solid without shining and did a decent job at 10 when England lost Smith to a yellow card."

Replacement: Freddie Steward

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Cole likes to scrum at his own height, and he struggled with the shape the Japanese front -row gave him to work with, going backwards on a couple of occasions, but fought back well once he had his bromance partner Joe Marler on the pitch alongside him."

Telegraph 5/10: "After a gruelling season, playing a central role for the losing Premiership finalists, he looked a little out of sorts."

Rugby Pass 6.5/10: "It was a full 23 minutes before we saw the midfielder but there were suddenly two huge ball-carrying contributions, a penalty-winning carry followed by the catch of the Jamie George lineout throw out the back around halfway that created the Smith try. Some missed tackles blotted his copy as did a no-release penalty just before the break."